Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-06
THE CELEBRATION.
Much Fun and Loud NOISE for a Little
Money.
A Big Crowd of People Come to
Town.
Rsse Ball and the Races-Bells and Gun
powder.

Rsse Ball and the Rsces-Bells and Cum
powder.
Last year Augusta celebrated the glorious
Fourth in grand and impressive style. There
were thesusaal features that go to make up
good Fourth, including the balloon that
didn't 20 up. This year, while there was no
balloon that couldn't fly and the money
expended was a comparatively small sum,
vet the fun, noise and recreation obtained
was but little if any less than the great show.
To be sure the crowd was not so dense, but
there was an abundance of elbow room, and
those attending had better opportunity of
epioying the celebration. Nothing was left
undone to make
The Affair a Success
and the young men who engineered it
worked earnestly to that end.
II was model Fourth of July as to
weather and temperature. 1t was hot, de-
cidedly hot But a fresh breeze from the
south blew up the valley and quite effectual-
ly tempered the sun heated atmosphere.
The celebration was begun soon after mid
night by the small boy who had passed a
sleepless night and was intent on extracting
all the pleasure possible from the famous
day, and the stail inhabitsnt
Tossed About
on his couch as the bang of torpedo and gun
rsnched his ears. At sunrise the clang of
the city bells ushered in the day and salute
was fred at the Arsenal. The rattle of the
toy cannon, small arms, etc, added to the
din. The bells were also rung at noon and
night; also salutes fired
The State Grounds
had been dressed for the occasion.
bunting, the tall flag pole was decked
with flags from top to bottom, and the band
stand was heavily draped. Numerous booths
had been erected from which drinks. fruit,
etc., were dealt out for nickels. They did a
good business aud the peanut stands were
well patronized. At the diamond large
number of settees were provided for the
spectators, and stand with large seating
capacity. The celebration on the grounds
opened at 2 o'clock. P. M, but long ere that
hour the people began to show themselves.
The Randolph Band,
one of the finest in the State, came up on the
afternoon train, ard was followed up the
street by crowd. 1t proceeded at once to
the band stand. where delightful concert was
given during the remainder of the afternoon.
The music was often favorably commented
upon. At2 o'clock
The Scene was an Inspiring One
to the observer standing on State street in
front of the capitol. The level green field,
soping gracefully to the river, four thousand
people moving to and fro or resting idly in
the shadows of the elms and naples, the gay
psrasols and spotless attire of the ladies', the
base ball men in snowy uniforms, and the
nutter of bunting, all made an ideal picture
of midsummer holiday. Many teams found
their way about the grounds and down to the
trotting park. Among the people present were
come in to spend the day, and large delega-
tions from Hallowell and Gardiner aad even
further down river. The fun commenced at
the park shortly after o'clock, when
100 Yards Dash
for prize of 81 was on the tapis. This was
participated in by g. Desmond, Fred O'Neal,
W. b. West, w. Hopkins and AL. Pedder.
This was won by MIR. Desmond The time
was II seconds. There being some dissatis-
faction, another 100 yards race, prize 49, was
run, the runners being Gus Wood, Al. Ped
der, w. b. West, F. O'Nesl, w. Hop
kins. Mr. Wood won this race with ease,
time ia seconds The most interesting race
Of the afternoon was the
Mile Run.
This race was test of speed and endur-
snce. Five men started ,one of whom dropped
out after going part way round. Those who
held 10 the track were +. O'Nesl of Halo
we'll, w. F. Caswell of Gardiner, w. B,
West and +. Pope. Soon after the start it
became plainly evident that the contest was
between O'Neal and Caswell, the latter took
the lead, while O'Neal followed close at his
heels with a long easy stride which was very
effective. He hung close to his antagonist
who couldn't shake him off On nearing
the stand at the end of the first half mile,
O'Neal made spsrt and passed Csswell with
a rush aud after leaving the stand dropped
behind, but still he followed with the same
swinging gait, and at the beginning of the
last quarter he dashed by Csswell and came
in at the goal several rods in advance,
There was dispute about the awarding of
the SIS which the winning man was to receive,
Csswel claiming il on the ground that ONeal
was coached. The committee finally decided
to give the money to O'Nesl,and Caswell was
presented with purse of S5 by his friends.
1t was q just decision.
Horse Races.
After the one mile race came the horse
races. There were two. the first between
Fred w. Spencer's bay horse and Frank L.
Webber's gray mare. One heat was trotted.
The latter won, best time 8 80. This was fol-
lowed BY two heat contest between q marc